Facts about Ozone

QUESTION: WHAT IS OZONE?

ANSWER: Ozone is sometimes called  "activated oxygen" . It contains three atoms of oxygen rather than the two atoms we normally breath. Ozone is the second most powerful sterility in the world and its function is to destroy bacteria, viruses and odors. Interestingly ozone occurs quite readily in nature, most often as a result of lightning strikes that occur during thunderstorms. In fact that "fresh, clean, spring rain " smell that we notice after a storm most often results from natures creation of ozone. Ozone is also created by water falls. However, we are probably most familiar with ozone from reading about the "ozone layer" that circles the planet above the earth atmosphere. Here ozone is created by the sun's ultra-violet rays. This serves to protect us from the ultra-violet radiation.
Additionally, each of us is exposed to high levels of ozone daily for short periods of time. This happens in heavy traffic conditions or during times when the weather forces the industrial gases to remain lower to the ground than is otherwise normal. The combination of these two factors can result in ozone readings as high as 4 or 5 times the "regulatory" levels for continuous exposure with absolutely no adverse affects as our exposure is for such short periods, and the ozone itself decays back to normal oxygen so rapidly. 

ANSWER: While ozone is very powerful, it has a very short life cycle. When it is faced with odors, bacteria or viruses the extra atom of oxygen destroys them completely by oxidation. In so doing, that extra atom of oxygen is destroyed and there is nothing left...no odor...no bacteria...no extra atom, only oxygen. In addition to the effectiveness of ozone, we also know that it is safe to use. We know this from our own safe exposures daily to ozone, weather, as noted earlier, resulting from being locked in traffic, or passing through industrial areas. These exposures have no effect on us beyond our acknowledging the unpleasant odor associated with this "filthy air". It is the very unpleasantness of this air that provides ozone with it's "built in" safety mechanism. Ozone is safe because we notice it's unpleasant odor at very residual levels. By residual we mean, the amount of ozone that is produced in excess of the required amount to kill whatever bacteria or odor that may be present in the room.

This equipment, when installed correctly will not exceed government guidelines for continuous safe exposure. Even if installed incorrectly, ozone provides its own protection, as ozone warns us in a manner similar to smoke in a room. Ozone does this by becoming so offensive at 1.5 parts per million that we would not be able to stay in the environment for any more than a short period. This is much like what would happen if we entered a smoke filled room. However, while smoke might harm us, research has proven that such a limited exposure to such a low level of ozone would have no serious long term affect on us just as it does not affect us when caught in a traffic jam during rush hour. Carrying that example one step further, this equipment is incapable of producing ozone in sufficient quantities even if installed incorrectly and left running continuously, to cause any long term risks to your health even assuming that you could stand there and be exposed to it (remember the smoke example). Note that no one has ever claimed a worker's related illness resulting from ozone exposure.

ANSWER: There are basically two methods of producing ozone...ultra-violet and corona discharge. Most equipment uses the corona discharge method, simulating in essence, lightning. Equipment utilizing UV is now hard to find because it is inefficient and unreliable, and very costly to service compared to the modern corona discharge equipment now available.

ANSWER: As soon as ozone is formed in the generator and dispersed in a room some of it decays back into oxygen. This step occurs by several processes including the following: Natural decay (or revision to oxygen) due to ozone chemical instability. Speeding up of the above process by the presence of such as walls, carpets etc. stimulating the decay process. Oxidation reaction with odor causing organic material, which removes
ozone. Reactions with bacteria etc., which again consumes ozone by oxidation reactions. Additionally ozone
itself has a half life which means that "residual" ozone created (extra unneeded ozone) will return to oxygen within at most 30 minutes, in amounts equal to half its level. What this means is that after each subsequent 30 minute period there would be half as much residual ozone left at the end of the period as was present at the beginning of the period. This is similar to a geometric progression of 16;8;4;2;1. In practice the half life is usually less than 30 minutes due to bacterial and other contaminants in the air. Therefore, ozone while very powerful doesn't last long...just does it's job and disappears.

ANSWER: No. Ozone destroys the source of odor. However, in the case of mildew the odor will return if you are unable to get rid of the moisture that is the source of the mildew.

ANSWER: It eliminates the irritation caused by phenol gasses, by oxidizing them. Phenol gasses are the invisible part of tobacco smoke that causes such discomfort to one's eyes and create the offensive odors. Ozone rids any environment of the effects of smoke completely, rather than merely filtering out some of the visible particles like an "electronic air cleaner".

ANSWER: The right level is when all the generated ozone is being used up accomplishing its job. However, this is difficult to obtain because it becomes a balancing act. Initially the machine's output is set high to get rid of the problem odor as quickly as possible. As this is being accomplished less ozone is required for the diminishing odor etc., thereby leaving some residual ozone in the air. If the machine output is not turned down after awhile then more residual ozone will be in he air. If there is a heavy smell of ozone, then there is more ozone present than is required to do the job. Simply turn the rheostat (output level control) down. This is a case where more is not considered better. Sales successes result when the dealer ensures that the results are what the customer expects. The most successful dealers usually install equipment on a trial basis and return to the trial location 24 hours later to ensure that residual ozone levels are not to high and that the customer knows how and when to regulate the machine to avoid a strong ozone smell.

ANSWER: Ozone has been known for almost a century now, so quite a lot is known about it. Several regulatory agencies, including OSHA - Occupational safety and health agency - have stipulated that the safe allowable level of residual is .1 ppm. based upon the historical safety of ozone.

Note that this permissible level is for continuous exposure throughout an entire 8 hour day for 5 days a week. If anyone is exposed to that concentration of ozone, it is usually as the by product of an industrial process like arc-welding. The temporary affects of such a low exposure would range from headaches, to sore throats, irritation in the eyes, nose and the like, similar again to what we would experience in a traffic jam. In almost a century of use however, there has never been a worker's compensation claim resulting from ozone exposure.

ANSWER: There are a number of mechanical methods available, the most common and effective being the Draeger tube, but the simplest, least expensive and very reliable method is using the Eco (ozone monitoring) Badge. Residual ozone becomes apparent to sensitive humans in the range of .01 - .03 ppm. or well below the permissible levels for continuous exposure. As noted previously, this residual ozone is extra ozone that is not required to kill bacteria etc. Adjustment of the rheostat is all that is required.

ANSWER: In Canada the Worker's Compensation Board of B.C. guidelines stipulate that continuous exposure 8 hours a day for 5 days per week in an environment containing .1 ppm. of ozone is safe. The normal concentrations that we will be using will be in the range of .01 - .03 ppm. well within the guidelines.

ANSWER: Yes. If the premises where meat is hung, cut and eventually cryovac'd, are treated with ozone, then this meat will be virtually bacteria free as it is being packaged in the cryovac. And will consequently retain its good looks and stay fresh much longer before being sold or used than meat packed in an ozone free room where both odors and bacteria count will be high. Treatment of coolers and cutting packaging rooms with ozone ensures not only a germ free environment, but also a clean smelling room that customers and employees alike associate with a caring and progressive management.

ANSWER: The majority of the publicity surrounding the negative effects of ozone exposure refers to high concentrations as compared to the extremely low concentrations we are dealing with when using the equipment we sell. Use the information presented in this literature to help address any concerns your customer may have. If you have a question you feel you can not handle please phone or fax us and we will respond with the appropriate information.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON OZONE

It is not necessary that you even smell the sweet smell of ozone (compared to fresh country air following a thunderstorm) for it to be effective. Even roses are an objectionable odor to some people, when in excess.

TO SET OZONE:

1. Set ozone to a setting where you can barely detect ozone after an hour of operation.

1. If ozone is still detected in 15 minutes reduce ozone setting, if the disagreeable odor is still prevalent, increase ozone setting. Properly adjusted, neither ozone or the objectionable odor should be detected.
2. Place ECO (ozone monitoring) BADGE in ozone room after the ozone has been initially adjusted to a comfortable level. The ECO (ozone monitoring) BADGE will give a 1 hour peak exposure level and an 8 hour average exposure level. This monitoring system will provide an inexpensive and accurate way to monitor and maintain ozone levels as the purification requirement changes due to more or less contaminants. The levels of ozone required to purify most environments are from .03ppm to .1ppm.

CIRCULATION: Air circulation is an important factor in how effective ozone works. An oscillating fan should be placed next to generator for proper circulation.

MOUNTING: Generator should be mounted high in the room, 6 to 8 feet off the floor. Generator should be mounted above the door pointing away from sensitive areas.

P.S. When entering an enclosed area such as coolers, ozone should be reduced.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE IN GREENHOUSE OPERATIONS:

1. Generator should be mounted upright below the fresh air intake. (don't place in front of the intake)
2. Generator should be on the same timer as the exhaust fan to ensure that ozone does not accumulate to a toxic level while exhaust is shut off.
3. Excessive levels can cause some spotting on leaf tissue, and higher levels above 2 ppm. will severely damage some plant species. Solution: reduce ozone output. A variable control rheostat may be necessary on some models and is available from your ozone supplier.